Layang Layang, Malaysia : UnderwaterAsia.info

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Tunku Abdul Rahman

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Layang Layang
Layang Layang is an atoll that is part of the Spratleys, a chain of around 600 islands in the South China Sea, around 300km off the coast of Sabah. The 14km long atoll rises from the depths 2000m below, providing awesome wall diving and some great opportunities for shark lovers. The star of the show here is the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, which gathers in large schools around the atoll in April & May to breed. The sight of hundreds of these majestic creatures together is an experience that cannot fail to excite even the most experienced diver

Dive Spots
It is possible to encounter the sharks all round the island, but D’s Wall, which plummets vertically down to unimaginable depths, and Gorgonian Forest are two of the best spots for sightings. Hammerhead Sharks are not the only large creatures that visit these waters however. Manta Rays & Eagle Rays can be seen at Wrasse Point, while Whitetip Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks & graceful Leopard Sharks all find food & protection around the atoll, ensuring regular sightings. Shark’s Cave, as the name suggests, is an excellent place to encounter these residents, while Turtles sometimes put in an appearance at The Tunnel, a coral slope on the south side of the atoll. At Dogtooth Lair, Dogtooth tuna can be seen cruising the blue along with large schools of Barracuda & Trevally. If you can tear your eyes away from the action, abundant & colourful hard & soft coral gardens provide shelter for a healthy population of reef-fish and many fascinating smaller critters are waiting to be found by the more observant diver. The main dive season here runs from March to August. Outside these months, the island’s only resort is closed. The best months to spot Hammerhead Sharks are April & May.

Dive Bases
Layang Layang is a remote atoll, 300km north of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo. It is part of a loosely congregated chain of islands in the South China Sea known as the Spratley Islands. Due to its location, the only way to reach the atoll and dive there is with Layang Layang Dive Resort, which shares the atoll with a small Malaysian Naval Base.
Layang Layang Find Dive Centres & Resorts in Layang Layang Dive The resort's dive centre make daily trips to the dive spots around the atoll, all off which can be reached in a short boat journey. Travel The only way to reach Layang Layang is by flying from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah with Layang Layang Air. They operate several flights per week, which cost around US$250 return. Stay Accommodation is booked in advance as a package with the diving. The accommodation is very comfortable & reasonably priced considering the remote location. Do Aside from the diving, the atoll's lagoon area has nice snorkelling and there is a also bird sanctuary, where literally thousands of migratory birds find refuge. There are no beaches to visit and no tourist facilities outside the resort.

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